# Hydrological drought in Germany

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hydrological-drought-in-germany
> Updated: 2026-10-28T04:12:00.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

Germany is experiencing significant water shortages and extreme low river levels. In the Rhineland-Palatinate and Harz regions, severe drought has depleted soil moisture up to depths of 1.80 meters. In the Harz region, drinking water reservoirs have fallen to 45 percent capacity, well below the seasonal average of 67 percent, causing the remains of the former village of Schulenberg to become visible at the Oker Dam.

An evaluation of the 2025/26 hydrological year, which concludes on October 31, indicates that nine major river basins experienced very low to extremely low water levels. Data from the Low Water Information System (NIWIS) shows that in January 2026, approximately one-fifth of river discharges were classified as ‘very low’ or ‘extremely low’. By August and September 2026, the proportion of river discharges in these low categories reached 35 percent, based on historical comparisons from 1991 to 2020.

Experts attribute these conditions to climate change and the physical modification of rivers, such as the straightening and deepening of riverbeds. Enno Nilson of the Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG) noted that while low water on the Rhine was historically a winter phenomenon caused by ice and snow, current low water levels are increasingly driven by heat and drought in the summer. Additionally, southern Germany experienced extreme drought during the summer following a winter that was drier than normal, leaving soil, groundwater, and rivers with significant deficits as the hydrological year ends.

## Claims

- The 2025/26 hydrological year in Germany was characterized by low water levels in nine major river basins. (reported by 15 sources)
- In January 2026, about one-fifth of river discharges were classified as ‘very low’ or ‘extremely low’. (reported by 15 sources)
- In August and September 2026, the proportion of very low or extremely low discharges reached 35 percent. (reported by 15 sources)
- Southern Germany experienced extreme drought during the summer. (reported by 15 sources)
- The winter of 2025/26 was drier than normal. (reported by 15 sources)
- Low water levels are attributed to climate change and the straightening and deepening of rivers. (reported by 9 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-28: Germany experiences extreme low water levels in 2025/26

Germany's 2025/26 hydrological year saw extreme low water levels across nine major river basins, driven by drought, heat, and climate change.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-experiences-extreme-low-river-water-levels-in-202526

### 2026-10-24: Severe drought affects Rhineland-Palatinate and Harz regions in Germany

Severe drought in Germany has left 85% of Rhineland-Palatinate parched and Harz drinking water reservoirs at only 45% capacity.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/severe-drought-affects-rhineland-palatinate-and-harz-regions-in-germany

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Cite as: Hydrological drought in Germany. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hydrological-drought-in-germany